A Hong Kong Resident's Guide to Getting a Mainland China Motorcycle License and Converting it to a Hong Kong License

Compared to taking the motorcycle driving test in Hong Kong, the tuition fee in mainland China is relatively cheaper and the scheduling is faster. Generally, it only takes about a month to obtain the license. Therefore, many aspiring Hong Kong riders choose to go to mainland China to obtain the "Motor Vehicle Driving Permit" for motorcycles, commonly known as the "Mainland Motorcycle License."

The mainland driving permit is issued by the traffic management department of the public security authority and is legally valid throughout the country. As long as the permitted driving models include motorcycles, one can legally drive the corresponding level of motorcycle on related roads in the mainland.

The mainland motorcycle license (Motorcycle Driving Permit) is mainly divided into three categories: D, E, and F:

• Beginners: Can choose to apply for Class D, E, or F based on their needs.

• Advanced: If you already hold Class E, you can add Class D (to include motor tricycles), or if you hold Class D, you can directly drive Class E/F.

• Displacement and Speed: Class F (lightweight) is entry-level, while Class D/E has higher displacement and speed.

• Vehicle Structure: Class D covers tricycles and two-wheelers, Class E is limited to two-wheelers, and Class F has the strictest limitations.

• Interoperability: Class D has the highest coverage, allowing one to drive Class E and F vehicles.

Eligibility Requirements

• Age: 18 years old or above, and under 70 years old

• Vision and Physical Condition: Must pass a physical examination at a designated medical institution, and meet the standards for driver physical condition in terms of vision, limbs, hearing, etc.

• No record of serious traffic violations or crimes (especially for former mainland license holders)

• Specific details may vary slightly across different cities, but in principle, they will follow the national unified "Provisions on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses" .

Required Documents and Information

Hong Kong residents enrolling in a mainland driving school or using an agency generally need to prepare the following documents:

• Copy of Hong Kong Identity Card

• Copy of valid Home Return Permit

• Mainland temporary accommodation registration or address proof (can be handled by an agency or driving school)

• ID photos (white background, no hat, specific size according to driving school or traffic police department requirements)

• Physical examination certificate (most driving schools will arrange for an examination at a partner medical institution)

• Mainland mobile phone number (used for verification, appointments, and receiving SMS notifications)

• Mainland payment tools (such as Alipay, WeChat Pay, used for payment)

The mainland motor vehicle driver examination is uniformly divided into "Subject One, Subject Two, Subject Three, and Subject Three Safety and Civilized Driving (commonly known as Subject Four)." The same applies to motorcycles, only the venue and content are adjusted according to the vehicle type.

Subject One: Traffic Laws and Theory Test

• Format: Computerized multiple-choice questions, 100 points full score, usually 90 points or above is passing.

• Content: Road traffic safety laws, regulations, signs and markings, basic driving knowledge, etc.

Hong Kong residents should note that there are many differences in mainland traffic signs and penalties compared to Hong Kong, such as changing lanes on solid lines, giving way to pedestrians, and the penalty point system. It takes time to understand the mainland's traffic culture and rules.

Subject Two: Site Driving Skills Test

Subject Two is conducted in a closed site and tests basic vehicle control techniques. The content includes:

• Weaving through Poles: Drive a figure-of-eight course between poles once back and forth. The vehicle must not stall, the feet must not touch the ground, and the wheels must not cross the line or leave the designated path.

• Hill Start: After completing the weaving, drive directly up a slope, stop, and restart the vehicle. The vehicle must not stall and the feet must not touch the ground during this process.

• Single Plank Bridge: After completing the hill start, drive directly onto the single plank bridge and pass through. The vehicle must not stall and the wheels must not leave the single plank bridge.

Subject Three: Road Driving Technique and Actual Road Operation

This is mainly conducted on actual roads, and the examiner will score the performance in the vehicle. The focus is to test the candidate's actual driving technique and safety awareness, including basic driving operation, driving on different road sections, different driving techniques, handling emergency situations, and traffic rules.

• Basic Driving Operation: Correctly checking rearview mirrors, using turn signals, observing left and right before starting, etc.

• Driving on Different Road Sections: Such as at intersections, pedestrian crossings, and bus stops.

• Different Driving Techniques: Including changing lanes, overtaking, turning, and U-turns.

• Handling Emergency Situations: Simulating emergency situations, such as a sudden appearance of a pedestrian or obstacle, to observe the candidate's ability to predict and react.

• Traffic Rules: Observing traffic signs and judging traffic lights. Serious errors such as running a red light or dangerous operation can lead to immediate failure.

Subject Four: Safety and Civilized Driving Knowledge (Official Name: Subject Three, Part Two)

Although nominally part of Subject Three, it is commonly treated as the fourth exam, hence the nickname "Subject Four." It is a computerized written test that covers the concept of "safety and civilized driving," including topics such as traffic regulations, safe driving behavior, vehicle maintenance and servicing, and emergency rescue knowledge. The passing standard is 90 points out of a total of 100 points. Candidates are advised to study the mock questions and take mock tests in advance.

After passing all four subjects, the official Motor Vehicle Driving Permit will be issued, which will specify the category of motorcycle you are authorized to drive.

Since motorcycle training requires a site, it is recommended to learn through a driving school. Many mainland driving schools emphasize that learning can be completed in just two days. Here is a brief overview of the application and learning process.

After registration, you need to book a time to go to the driving school to submit copies of personal documents and agency fees (Hong Kong Identity Card, Home Return Permit, etc.), book an appointment for a physical examination in a designated city (usually arranged by the driving school or agency), complete temporary accommodation registration or address registration, and handle the application procedures.

Arrange for theoretical study (online or offline courses) and practice questions, and book an appointment for Subject One. After passing, proceed with motorcycle site training as arranged by the driving school to prepare for Subject Two.

After passing Subject Two, arrange for road training to prepare for Subject Three.

After passing Subject Three, take the Safety and Civilized Driving Test (Subject Four). After passing all four subjects, the driving permit will be issued by the traffic police department.

It should be noted that some driving schools may even compress the four subjects into a single day, but whether it can actually be "completed in one day" depends on the local traffic police arrangements and regulations, which vary between cities. It is advisable to inquire clearly before registering. Additionally, if you fail an exam, a second attempt is usually arranged on the same day, but an additional retest fee will apply.

• Some cities have a large volume of exams and intensive scheduling, making it theoretically easier to complete all subjects in a short time.

• The reputation of the driving school (pass rate, coach attitude, motorcycle condition, etc.) greatly affects the final "real driving ability," and one should not focus only on the price.

• Inquire clearly about the number of training hours, whether the coach is fixed, the language arrangements for the exam, and retest fees.

• The exam is mainly conducted in Putonghua (Mandarin), and the electronic questions are mostly in Simplified Chinese. Hong Kong people who are accustomed to Cantonese and Traditional Chinese need to pay special attention.

• Familiarize yourself with Simplified Chinese characters and commonly used mainland traffic terms in advance.

Many driving schools in the mainland offer motorcycle license courses or packages specifically for Hong Kong residents. The price will be significantly higher than the purely local price because they usually include services such as: dedicated mainland car transfer, physical examination arrangements, question bank, retest assistance, etc. The general cost starts from about RMB 3,000.

What most Hong Kong people are most concerned about is definitely whether they can "convert to a Hong Kong license after one year."

According to the application qualifications under Hong Kong law Cap. 374B, to be granted a formal Hong Kong driving license without test, in addition to the driving license still being valid or having expired no more than three years ago, one must meet one of the following three conditions:

• It was issued during a period of not less than 6 months of residency in the country or place where the license was originally issued (proof documents are required, such as entry and exit records, visas, employment documents, etc.)

• The license has been issued to you for not less than 5 years before the date of application submission.

• You hold a passport or equivalent travel document issued by the country or place that issued the license (Note: The Home Return Permit is NOT an equivalent travel document).

In other words, unless you have proof documents showing residency in mainland China for not less than 6 months, you will need to wait 5 years after obtaining the mainland motorcycle license before you can apply for a formal Hong Kong motorcycle license without a test.

Complete the Transport Department application form TD63A (electronic/printed signatures are not accepted; if any information provided on the application form has been modified, the applicant must countersign next to it for validation), and personally or authorize an agent to submit the application form along with the required documents and fee to the Hong Kong Licensing Office (appointments for counter services can be made through the GovHK website or by calling 3763 8080 to reduce waiting time. If there is no online or phone appointment, a same-day ticket must be obtained on-site to use the counter service).

Required Documents and Fees:

• Hong Kong Identity Card

• Overseas / People's Republic of China Driving License

• Hong Kong Address Proof

• Fee HK$900 (10-year validity)